In just the first nine days operating after Irma swept through Southwest Florida, MW Horticulture Services Recycling had already taken in about two months worth of vegetation at its primary location in Fort Myers.
Ricardo Rolon / news-press.com

Coral Oaks lost about 50 trees during Hurricane Irma but everything else was fine.(Photo11: Special to The News-Press)

Cape Coral golf courses survived Hurricane Irma and have reopened in the last week with two pluses for local golfers – they have to deal with fewer trees and the summer discount rates are still in effect.

When Irma descended on Cape Coral on Sept. 10, the combination of fierce winds and heavy rain propelled the courses into a state of disarray the following Monday.

Luckily in most cases, the damage was limited to on the courses and debris collection started immediately. Each course lost a lot of trees – more than 100 at venerable Palmetto Pines Country Club – and associated vegetation.

“We lost over 100 trees but we still have a bunch remaining so the course retained its natural beauty,” said Troy Speckman, the head golf professional at Palmetto Pines.

The Arthur Hills designed course reopened Tuesday, Sept. 19 and the summer rates remain in place for non-members, ranging $25 to $35 depending on the time of day.

The city-owned Coral Oaks Golf Club opened Saturday, Sept. 16, still using temporary greens that will be in place until the renovated greens are used starting Oct. 7.

“Overall the course is in good shape. We’ve been mowing and only a couple of holes have debris remaining, mainly 7 and 9,” said Eric Oster, the golf superintendent.

“You’ll see a lot of tree stumps but the play areas are good. The damage was spread all over the golf course, and we’ll be doing cleanup in the wooded areas in the weeks ahead.”

The city-owned Coral Oaks Golf Club opened Saturday, Sept. 16, still using temporary greens that will be in place until the renovated greens are used starting Oct. 7.(Photo11: Special to Cape Life)

“We lost around 50 trees but everything else is fine,” said Allen Manguson, the Coral Oaks general manager.

The special summer and renovation rates of $20 before 3 p.m. and $15 after 3 p.m. will remain in effect until Oct. 6.

The newly named Cape Royal Golf Club, formerly Royal Tee Golf Club, was undergoing renovations on the course and in the restaurant when the hurricane arrived.

The course has nine of its 27 holes presently open for members only.

“The Queen nine is open for members and we anticipate opening for public play along with the restaurant in late October,” said head golf professional Tyler Arnold. “The driving range is now open to the public.

“We had a lot of tree damage and widespread debris damage all over the course. It sure was a unique storm and we’re doing our best to get everything in order. We lost around 40 trees.”